Avoiding the “Wait, who was that again?” problem
Some characters matter deeply—but they vanish for chapters on end, only to reappear like a glitch in the simulation. When that happens, emotional investment falters, and narrative flow stumbles. Readers don’t want to feel like they’re scrolling through a streaming queue and suddenly bump into a character they forgot was even in the cast.
⚠️ Why Long Absences Break Engagement
- Loss of Emotional Connection
If a character disappears for dozens of pages, readers may forget why they cared. In Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson, Vin’s presence resonates even when she’s off‑page—her choices ripple through the story, keeping emotional continuity alive. Compare that to a character who vanishes like socks in the laundry: when they finally return, you’re not sure whether to cheer or wonder what secret dimension they’ve been hiding in. - Interrupting Narrative Flow
Reintroducing a character after a long absence often requires clunky exposition. “As you recall, Sarah was decoding the alien artifact…” feels like a recap, not a story beat. Instead, look to The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin, where character reappearances are layered with emotional and thematic resonance. It’s less “Previously on…” and more “Oh wow, this changes everything.” Characters should never feel like that cousin who only shows up at Christmas, eats all the pie, and vanishes until next year. - Out‑of‑Sight, Out‑of‑Mind
Syndrome
If a character isn’t mentioned for a while, readers may assume they’re irrelevant. When they suddenly reappear—say, midway through Fallen Empire by Lindsay Buroker—it works because the story has kept them alive in dialogue, memory, and consequence. Their absence isn’t a void; it’s a tension. Think of it like the friend who doesn’t show up to the party but still gets talked about all night. If they ghost the narrative completely, though, readers may ghost your book.
🔧 How to Keep Characters Present
- Mention them in dialogue, memory, or consequence—even when they’re off‑page.
- Space out their appearances to maintain continuity.
- Let their absence create tension, not confusion.
In science fiction, fantasy and paranormal romance tales, readers expect complexity—but not confusion. If a character matters, make sure they never truly leave the story’s emotional landscape.
✨ Closing Thought
Characters don’t need to be on every page, but they do need to haunt the story in some way—like footprints in the snow, echoes in dialogue, or consequences that ripple forward. Keep them alive, even in absence, and your readers will never have to ask, “Wait, who was that again?”